NHS urged: Be 'fully transparent' over Dr Gray's sewage leak which destroyed hundreds of Moray patient records
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MORAY politicians have reacted to the "deeply alarming" destruction of several hundred patient records by a sewage leak at Dr Gray's Hospital.
Yesterday, we broke news of the incident on Monday, January 15 – which NHS Grampian confirmed was a "significant" leak above the medical records area of Moray's main hospital.
The health board confirmed that it was "far too early to put an exact number on how many records this may be, but we suspect this will be several hundred".
Moray MP Douglas Ross urged NHS Grampian to be “fully transparent” about the "deeply alarming" leak and their response.
While Moray MSP Richard Lochhead described the incident as "very concerning", and said it was "vital" that the health board "ensure there is no risk of this happening again."
“This incident at Dr Gray’s was deeply alarming to hear about and I am sure patients across Moray will share my concerns," Mr Ross said.
“Everyone in the area knows someone who has been a patient at the hospital in Elgin so they will be concerned that the records that have been destroyed beyond repair could be their own.
“That is why it is imperative for NHS Grampian to be fully transparent about this incident and the circumstances behind it. I am seriously concerned that any patients records could ever be put in a position where if something like this occurred, they would be left in a irretrievable state.
“They must urgently outline what robust measures will be – or better still – already have been put in place to make sure every effort has been taken to avoid any more records being destroyed.
“This is the last thing our overstretched and dedicated staff needed as they tackle an NHS winter crisis. They – alongside worried patients in Moray – will be worried about the potential impact on treatments taking place.
“I will continue to press NHS Grampian for answers after this extremely regrettable incident and will ensure patients are kept updated every step of the way.”
Mr Lochhead said: “This incident is very concerning and many patients will be worried that their own medical records may have been damaged.
“NHS Grampian must work quickly to notify those affected and to respond to any concerns patients might have about their own records.
“It’s vital that the health board ensure that steps are being taken to ensure there is no risk of this happening again.”
